Has anyone done either a port or pic line ?if so how does it feel to have one on is it bothersome? . Can you jog, swim etc with it . How long do u have it on. And is it a quick procedure.
This may be a silly question but Can they also draw blood from the port or pic ?
just nervous about it.
thanks
After resisting all summer I am finally having a picc line fitted on 1st November. The reason I put it off is that I like wild swimming so, no, you cannot swim with a picc line. However, you can with a port as this is inserted under the skin. I believe blood can be taken from a picc line but only by someone trained to do so. They can't where I go for my blood test so I will just do it in the normal way. Hope that makes sense!
It makes perfect sense, now I have to decide which one to get Thanks Swimbuddy!
Hi Pianoanddisco
I had a picc line put in just before I started my treatment, every time they tried to take blood the vein collapsed, so for me it was the better option. The picc was inserted under local anaesthetic, they lay you down and put lots of blue medical sheets over you, all very dramatic, but it only takes a few minutes and it’s painless. You can’t get it wet so I got a plastic arm cover from Amazon for showering, during the day I had stretchy covers over the picc, again purchased from Amazon. The line has a surgical cover usually like a large clear plaster over it but the end is a bit of tubing with what I’d call a toggle on the end, so having the stretchy cover keeps it next to your skin. I had bloods taken from it weekly by the district nurse and it had to be cleaned weekly so this was all done together. I had chemo through it each week, so no cannula and when I ended up in A & E they took bloods from it, make sure it’s flushed after each use. I had mine in for about 8 months, occasionally it ached but on the whole it was fine and definitely the best option for me. I would ask for the picc again if needed as it was much better than the alternative trauma of trying to get bloods or insert a cannula.
Hope this helps, loads of love and luck
Dee
Thanks Dee, I appreciate all that explanation. It’ll sure help me to decide now as my veins are very small and hard to find.
My vote is for a port. Yes you have a minor surgical procedure. I was terrified but had it with local anaesthetic only, no sedative. It was done and dusted quickly and straightforwardly with minor discomfort only. As its under the skin, no restrictions on what you can do (once healed). You can take bloods from it. I have had a lot if chemo over the past few years and expect to keep doing so, so not having it removed. One of the best decisions made during my treatment journey.
Thanks Cheadle for your input on this.
I’m glad the port worked for u.
Hi. I strongly suggest a port. I’ve had mine for six years and it’s used for drawing blood, giving me contrast for scans, hydration after chemo, and of course, chemo. I was sedated. When it was put in. After a couple of weeks it wasn’t sore and you don’t need any special precautions with it. I don’t think about it.
Hi delia2
The port sounds more and more promising. You may have convinced me . I’m sure the picc line is just as good.
thanks so much !
I can only speak about a chest port. I love mine! Have had it since 2015. I’m on maintenance therapy every 3 weeks, so they can give me my infusion and draw my bloodwork easily. It never bothers me. It saves my veins. Good luck!
Thanks for your input on this Leniko, wow you’ve had it for a while. I do like the fact they can draw blood from it .
The only maintenance needed is to have it flushed with saline every six weeks.
I've never had either but I've heard dozens of women swear by ports for ease of use and being able to resume normal activities.
My oncologist says definitely no wild swimming (I love it too) or main pool swimming because infection risk is too high. I go to a private pool where a friend teaches and can swim early morning on my own (it's been cleaned overnight) It seems some still do wild swim though. I know why...its so refreshing, relaxing, uplifting...many other things!
picc line is fine - painless insertion. Much better for chemo and blood tests. Downside is having to wear a sleeve in the shower and the bandage over the line showing in summer. I would certainly, 100% go for it when ever having chemo. I don’t know what a port is …
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